Methadone: A Flicker Of Light In The Dark
Methadone: A Flicker Of Light In The Dark
Methadone: A Flicker Of Light In The Dark
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Methadone: A Flicker Of Light In The Dark

To provide a better understanding of the very important role methadone plays in the treatment of addiction.
 
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 Drug Screens / Urine "Drops"

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PostSubject: Drug Screens / Urine "Drops"   Drug Screens / Urine "Drops" EmptyFri Mar 20, 2009 9:43 pm

If you've been in MMT, you are well-aquainted with the comment
by a staff member at your clinic: "You gotta drop."

On a personal level, the clinic I attended had a 'policy' whereby
if a patient had attained a Level 2, 3, or 4 Status; a urine screen
could be requested randomly.

On the other hand, if a patient was a Level One, ( a beginner
or new to Methadone Maintenance Therapy) they would have
to "drop" daily until their urine samples were clean of anything
except the methadone dispensed to them.

Well now, 'good ole boys' MMT clinic, owned by CRC, (that I had
been a former patient of) enigmatically had a few unusual loopholes
that didn't follow their own 'postings' of Patient Rights concerning
urine screens.

First off --here is an example:

On one occasion, I handed thru the box-size room lab window,
a plastic container of my urine to the one, over-worked
and most likely, underpaid staff employee in charge of overseeing
the bladder contents of patients.
She also reads slides in the clinic's on-site laboratory that is
carefully kept obscured from patients.

This specific staff member shook her head and said verbatim,
"I can't accept this." < (meaning my urine sample).

When I bewilderdly inquired why not, she then retorted, " It
isn't your urine."
I launched back with, " IT MOST CERTAINLY IS !"

In the small, grubby restroom used by both male and
female patients, with one toilet, no papertowels, only a
hand-dry blower, and no wastebasket or any other essentials;
there is a camera in the ceiling to watch patients when they
are providing their 'samples'.

Being new to the clinic at the time and naaive', I had no idea
of any type of spy device in what the clinic calls their "restroom."

The restroom is not in a private area, but approximately 3 feet
away from four rows of rag-tag chairs where patients wait
their turn to be "buzzed" into Dispensing for their dose of
liquid methadone. I was surprised to discover a lock on the
door. How generous of the clinic.

At any rate, the female staff lab member went off on me,
ranting that there is a sign hanging right on the facility door
mentioning a camera will be observing patients urinating to
eventually present to the lab technician.

"You people don't read", she yelled in obvious exasperation,
(causing me, of course, to shrink back in astonishment).
"You don't read any of the signs posted around this room
anywhere, and if you don't, it's not my problem. It's yours!
Go right on back and give me another urine sample right now !"

So I did. I dutifully followed her harsh request and handed in
another vial of my urine; all the time wondering why.
Why what?

* Why the absurd notion of the lab tech that the first sample
I handed in was not from my own body. If there is a camera
device to scrutinize patients while providing urine, what
was this all about i.e., the Malfunction Junction effect.

* Why the adamant and unnecessary adressing myself as
some type of low-life. Uncivil, hostile, and the lab tech
literally raising her voice as if a SWAT team would have to
be called to escort me out.
Other patients waiting their turn for dispensation of their
methadone dose with no doubt heard her tirade to myself.

Upon hindsight of this, I deciphered that the lab tech was
accusing me by her pre-conceived notion that I "tampered"
with a urine specimen, when all I had in actuality done
was provide what every patient must upon request.
Randomly upon order or otherwise.

* Another why. Why would I be playing games and
falsifying urine samples as I was accused unjustly of in
this instance.
My age alone -- it would be rather counter-productive
after having joined the MMT clinic to "do the right thing."
I had neither the notion nor interest in engaging in
schemes. I was there for my rightful medicine.

Yet I was made to feel like I was following an addict's
regime and seemingly reminded of it by just this one instance
involving a urine drop.

If it had not been for a remarkable counselor I had at the
time this incident occurred, the "punishment" would have
been any number of 'uglies" the clinic devises for a patient
who did not adhere to rules.

I am aware one is innocent until proven guilty. In my
heart, I knew I was not. It sure didn't seem to matter at
that point in time.

One of this clinic's rules/rights is: Patients are to be treated
with dignity and respect at all times."
Rules.......that's another subject for a different posting.

In conclusion, I guess I learned the day this single thing
happened is that nothing's for sure, and that's for certain.
Especially at CRC owned MMT clinics.

Not to say that all of the 100's of CRC owned clinics operate
unethically or illicitly, but my estimate at this stage of the long-ran
game, is probably half. And even then, I may be being
generous in that surmise.

Arrow Thus, here we go round the Methadone Bush again.







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Admin
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Female
Number of posts : 51
Age : 65
Location : Vermont
Registration date : 2009-03-05

Drug Screens / Urine "Drops" Empty
PostSubject: Observed Urines and Cameras Should Be Banned!   Drug Screens / Urine "Drops" EmptySun Mar 22, 2009 7:11 pm

Drug Screens / Urine "Drops" 32680010Yes, Colette you are very right and this picture describes how I feel every time I am asked to give a urine. I feel like it every time I walk inside the doors to the one I am attending. I never know what they are going to throw at me next but I get a lot of flack because of my websites and my Pain Management Doctor.
If any of you will take note, I had to write an apology to my clinic or else they were going to discharge me. I had to shut "Rate Your Program" down temporarily because one of the patients who had left the clinic I attend wrote a bad comment about the clinic I am attending. This patient is a member of this forum and I want her to know I am not mad at her and I realize what she said was true but I had no choice at the time. I am asking her to please join us in posting and I will try and call her back as soon as I can get settled down.
It is illegal to have cameras in the rest room. Colette, you need to report this to the guy I gave you the number to help you. I don't believe they have a camera in all CRC Healthcare Treatment Centers because they don't have one at the Cartersville Center, Inc. I can testify they removed my call-backs from my records and gave me a choice between Xanax and Methadone but yet knew it would take awhile before it cleared my system. They cut my dose in half and had me coming every day instead of monthly but it was the Doctor's revenge but CRC allowed it to happen. I did transfer out and had my dose restored and my take-homes because even though some clinics don't realize it -it is up to the Doctor.
I transferred from the clinic I have been attending to another one Friday and before they could catch it I had been admitted. Then the owner called and told them I was dually enrolled at two clinics and had an ongoing case at the State Methadone Authority which was all a lie but still I am worried about what the Program Director will do.
Thanks for sharing Colette and I wish others would let us know what is happening at yours. I believe it might be much better to Rate your Program on this Forum. I will have Rate Your Program back up shortly on the website.


Last edited by Admin on Sun Jul 05, 2009 4:28 pm; edited 1 time in total
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PostSubject: Re: Drug Screens / Urine "Drops"   Drug Screens / Urine "Drops" EmptyFri Jun 19, 2009 5:26 am

that is insane about having a camera in the restroom. i thought that was illegal & a violation of privacy. if they want to observe your u.t., then tell them to come on in! i always wondered if some mmt places used cameras in the bathroom. i wondered if the 1st clinic i went to did - probably! but i feel really safe at the clinic i am at now (been here for 18 months) & love it! the 1st clinic was weird about u.t.s, made people feel like they were always gonna fail. i used to think they would mislabel them & they would get messed up & i would fail a test because of an internal mistake. thank God i am at a great clinic now & they pay attention & correctly label the u.t.s. i am no longer afraid of a false positive because of bad record keeping.
keep on keeping on!
cat
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lilgirllost
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lilgirllost


Female
Number of posts : 863
Age : 51
Location : live in Louisiana but attend MMT clinic in Tx
Job/hobbies : COUPONING & GEOCACHING are my favorite past times but I also love reading and spending time with my husband and kids
Humor : I don't have a sense of humor.............
Registration date : 2009-05-25

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PostSubject: HOW MANY OF YOUR HAVE OBSERVED URINES?   Drug Screens / Urine "Drops" EmptyMon Feb 08, 2010 11:02 pm

I was curious, at my clinic we have someone watch us urinate when we do our UA. I have to leave the door open so she can watch and there is no running water in the bathroom. She will close the door after she walks in and gets my full cup so I can wipe and flush in private, and then I can use the sink right outside to wash my hands.

At my old clinic, when I first started going 9 yrs ago, they had video cameras in the bathrooms and would watch you through the camera. After about 4 yrs later, they took the cameras down and they didn't watch you at all.

Another clinic that I checked into going to didn't do UA's at all, but mouth swabs to test for drugs and methadone metabolites.

I was wondering how it is at other clinics? Are you observed? Unobserved? Do they do a UA or a swab, or do they do a hair test?

Share your experiences and let me know!
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Regina1968

Regina1968


Female
Number of posts : 17
Age : 55
Location : Mayfield, KY
Job/hobbies : Disabled due to Lupus and Sciatica
Registration date : 2010-01-19

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PostSubject: Re: Drug Screens / Urine "Drops"   Drug Screens / Urine "Drops" EmptyTue Feb 09, 2010 10:32 am

At my clinic they usually go in the restroom with you. On occasion, when they are real busy, they will send you on in the restroom so you dont have to keep waiting on them. There is a sink in the restroom. I dont like it when they go in with me for some reason, I guess I am modest or something!
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lilgirllost
Admin
lilgirllost


Female
Number of posts : 863
Age : 51
Location : live in Louisiana but attend MMT clinic in Tx
Job/hobbies : COUPONING & GEOCACHING are my favorite past times but I also love reading and spending time with my husband and kids
Humor : I don't have a sense of humor.............
Registration date : 2009-05-25

Drug Screens / Urine "Drops" Empty
PostSubject: Re: Drug Screens / Urine "Drops"   Drug Screens / Urine "Drops" EmptyTue Feb 09, 2010 5:50 pm

I find it embarrassing too when they watch but on the same token, I understand why it has to be done. Of course you would think after the amount of time I have been on MMT and had clean UA's would count for something! Course I have only been going to this clinic since Aug or Sept so I am still new to them.

At my old clinic, after they took out the cameras, they let you go into the bathroom by yourself, the door had a lock and the sink had running water. They wouldn't "observer" your UA unless they felt they needed to.

The nurse there told me stories about ppl who tried to scam on their UA's. I remember she told me once they caught a lady who had a bag or urine that had a catheter attached to it and she tied the bag to her leg and the tube to her thigh and then tried to get by w/tubing the urine into her cup.

The most strange one I think I have heard though (and I don't know how true this one is because it came from another pt who said she knew the girl that did this) but SUPPOSIVELY the girl got a clean UA w/metabolites from another pt, she then took a catheter and put the other person's urine into her own bladder.

So again, I understand why they have to be suspicious but I still don't like being watched while I pee. It is like I say all the time, because of the ones who don't follow the program properly and try to abuse the system, they make it harder for those of us who are trying to do it right. They lump all of us into that category and think we are all STILL liars, scammers and addicts who are trying to just get a fix.
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Happylady5

Happylady5


Female
Number of posts : 93
Age : 39
Location : MN
Humor : It's a great day to be alive!
Registration date : 2010-06-06

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PostSubject: Re: Drug Screens / Urine "Drops"   Drug Screens / Urine "Drops" EmptyWed Jul 28, 2010 8:53 pm

At my clinic, they watch us. I can't go in front of them. I have never peed in front of anyone ever before. Drug Screens / Urine "Drops" Icon_redface When you don't provide they automaticly count it as a dirty UA. Drug Screens / Urine "Drops" Icon_mad She stepped out of the room for 2 seconds and I got it. She said I could go to the Dr., get a note that said I can't provide a monitored UA. I did that; and got mouthswabs from then on. They just give you the mouthswab when you go to get your dose. I suggest swabs to anyone with monitored UAs that can't provide! So much easier and less invasive! What a lifesaver!
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Sammy

Sammy


Female
Number of posts : 15
Age : 58
Location : Pa
Job/hobbies : Walking my lil Dog,W/ my Husband, Researching on the Computer, being Happy
Humor : I love Humor!
Registration date : 2009-03-08

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PostSubject: Observed Urine's   Drug Screens / Urine "Drops" EmptySat Jul 31, 2010 1:02 pm

Hi Everyone
I just read all the post about the Urine's, At my Clinic, You are watched by a counselor or a nurse, anyways I never liked being watch, Certain nurse is really nice and closes the door for me, But I don't get her all the time, anyways I have been detoxing off the methadone, I want out and then again, I am so afraid of the Illness that follows,My husband is off methadone, anyways back to the Urine's I don't know if any of you use what is called a Hat, That u put on the toilet and you don't have to pee into a cup and hope you get yr urine in the cup, so I am glad they have that, You usually see them Urine "hat's" at the hospital when they need to measure your urine etc, anyways I am on 60 Mg's of methadone I came down 5mg's a week, and so far I feel fine, I did notice I am a bit more emotional, Anyway I had my Urine Early in the Month, and Then on Friday Boom I got a Doctor's Order Urine, Boy that surprised the heck out of me, I'm Glad I was able to pee, because usually I make sure I take my water pill, and make sure i can pee, so I did ok, BUT I have been smoking weed from time to time, But I didn't want to get caught, Even tho they don't bust yr chops about Marijuana, You just have to go in everyday, and Check this out I have been Clean from Marijuana for such a longtime 4 yr's only 1 time I smoked because when My husband was going there he was dirty from Marijuana, But like I said they don't bust ur chops BUT since we lived together "Married" I being clean wasn't aloud take home's because my husband smoked, so I got upset n said F it I'll smoke too, but I stopped, and told My counselor it's not fair I'm clean and I don't get no recognition, no Incentive of me being clean, Well they said because it's not Stable at yr home because yr husband smoke's ok that there rule I followed it, BUT Now My husband isn't there anymore, and I was saying to my Counselor Wow when he is out I can get my take home's But he didn't say anything, So I waited a week after my husband Discharged from the Clinic, They were all Proud of him, and I put in for Sunday take home, and then I was Told since my husband WHO NO LONGER GO'S To THE Clinic and is completely off Methadone, That I cannot get take home's I was Like What? and my counselor who is a really good Elderly Man, very nice, That he was told I cannot get take home's because they know my husband smoke's the only way I would be able to get take home's is if My husband n I Broke up or didn't live together, AINT That some BS!, so I just said F it I'm smoking, I have smoke a little here n there just to take the Edge off,But it will probably show in this last urine My "Doctor Order" Urine and the people that are detoxing do get Doctor order Urines But I didn't know this, now i know, and I did take a Darvocet, 5 day's prior to my urine, I know I shouldn't have But My period was so painful so I did, But I pray I don't get caught with that because Then The doctor will Up my dose, plus I will have to see the doctor and he will ask me why etc, and I get afraid of Higher authority, so Please pray I don't get caught with that in my urine the weed is ok, But not the pill, any way's If it is found my dose will be raised probably 10 mg's, and then I will have wait till the doctor says that I can start coming down again, If anyone has any advice or Knowledge on this PLEASE Get back to me, I'm just a Scardy cat, PS, There is this Lady that gets take home, and she asked for a Hardship because her son have to go to a certain school n the drive is far anyways The lady That is Part owner, didn't even ask who it was on the phone said to her, No n how am I to trust a Drug addict, I was OMG, This is here say, But This is not the first Time I heard about this Part owner talking in this form, anyways I'm so Glad to be back with you all I have Missed You N Deborah I notice certain people are just plan Jealous, Because You are a smart Lady and you know what your Talking about so anyone that is mean to you or any of us I think it's Jealousy, so Never MIND those BUTT Head's You are awesome Smile Thanks for having me Please get back to me about my Question ASAP if u can HUGS to All Love Sammy.
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Happylady5

Happylady5


Female
Number of posts : 93
Age : 39
Location : MN
Humor : It's a great day to be alive!
Registration date : 2010-06-06

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PostSubject: Re: Drug Screens / Urine "Drops"   Drug Screens / Urine "Drops" EmptySat Jul 31, 2010 8:36 pm

I totally see where you are coming from Sammy. My boyfriend uses. I don't want him to, AT ALL, but he still does. If they wouldn't give me take-homes because of my boyfriend, I would be livid. What would I do? Drug Screens / Urine "Drops" Icon_scratch I would probably tell them that he moved out; since he's not going to the clinic anymore; but that is not the most "ethical" way to go. I am not sure really, what to do. Drug Screens / Urine "Drops" Confused I do know this does not sound fair. You are clean and not using, you should be getting phased up. Drug Screens / Urine "Drops" Icon_cheers It will all work out for the best though! Good luck. Drug Screens / Urine "Drops" Star3 Happy Lady
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